West Ham slam 'desperate' Blades

West Ham have slammed Sheffield United's intention to sue them for the cost of relegation as "desperate".

The Blades recently failed in their High Court bid to force a new Premier League action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.

However, they have now decided on a new course of action which they hope will lead to the award of considerable damages. They have estimated the cost of their relegation at between £30million and £50million.

The Blades are suing over a breach of contract and claim to have evidence which proves West Ham "misled" the original independent panel by failing to disclose vital information relating to their arrangement with Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian.

But the Hammers issued a statement which read: "We are extremely disappointed that Sheffield United have seen fit to embark on this latest desperate action.

"Not only does Sheffield United's claim lack legal merit, but it is also based on their incorrect belief that West Ham withheld an agreement from the Premier League and the April disciplinary commission.

"In fact, long before the disciplinary hearing, West Ham United made the Premier League fully aware of the existence and status of the agreement in question.

"This agreement was then included in the documentation produced for the disciplinary commission, who were therefore also aware of its existence throughout the proceedings.

"Sheffield United's latest assertions clearly demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation, and any proceedings brought by them will be vigorously defended by West Ham.

"In the meantime, West Ham and the new owners will not permit these repeated slurs to go unchallenged and are in discussions with their legal advisers in relation to the action they might take."